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Play a simulation well/complete the simulation.

Time spent in simulation.

Modify the simulation.

Different approaches.

The importance of doing this wellI am hesitant to call for any standards in this area (and doubt anyone would listen to me if I did). I recognize we are still in a time of deliberate mutation -- we need to try a lot and see what works. However, simulations will not be taken seriously in a formal learning environment until there is consensus on the issue of grading.

In an instant messaging conversation during Robert Washburn’s journalism lecture at Loyalist, Urqhart, whose real name is Tyson Jewell, reveals his frustrations with Second Life. He says the heavy computer requirements can be a hassle for students who can’t afford sophisticated video cards or a faster Internet connection. Because of this, some students have to come to school anyway to use a computer inside a lab or a library to attend their Second Life classes. There are various other technical problems, such as the glitch in the program that caused Mr. Jewell’s classmate to be locked out of his account. And, ironically, Second Life battles against the one thing that has propelled its popularity: the rapid advances in technology.

Finally, everyone who was interviewed for this article agrees that virtual worlds like Second Life won’t completely overtake normal classroom settings. However, they do believe that three-dimensional online classes and assignments will become a staple in Canadian education – and that’s for real.